Charting award organizations (part I)

A guide to the guilds, academies, institutes and associations behind the trophies

ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS & SCIENCES (Oscars) Backstory: Founded in 1927, the Academy recognizes outstanding achievements in filmmaking in above- and below-the-line categories. Kudo: The Academy Award was first given in 1929. It was nicknamed the Oscar in the ’30s and will be awarded in as many as 25 categories for the 2008 cinema year. Membership: The org has more than 6,500 members. Branches include actors, art directors, cinematographers, directors, documentary, execs, editors, makeup, music, producers, public relations, short films and feature animation, sound, visual effects and writers. Voters: More than 5,800 members have voting privileges. They’re allowed to cast ballots for up to five noms in their specific branch. Nominations are selected by special committees for categories including foreign language, docu, feature animation, and animated and live-action short. Key dates: Nomination ballots will be mailed Dec. 26 and must be returned by Jan. 12. Noms will be announced Jan. 22. Final ballots will sent Jan. 28 and must be returned by Feb. 17. Science and Technical Awards ceremony will be held Feb. 7 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The Academy Awards are presented Feb. 22 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Topper: Sid Ganis, prexy Contact: (310) 247-3000 Email:ampas@oscars.orgWebsites:oscars.org (official rules, submission forms, info about the Acad, etc.); oscars.com (regarding the ceremony itself, its history and more)

AMERICAN CINEMA EDITORS (Eddie Awards) Backstory: Founded in 1950, ACE recognizes accomplishments in the film and TV editing professions. Kudo: The first ACE Awards plaques were given in 1962, and the first Eddie statuettes were handed out in 1965; 12 will be awarded in 2009. Membership: 554 members: 306 are active, of which 106 are life and 27 are affiliated. The org requires 60 months of editing experience and an interview process to join. Branches are made up of film and TV editors. Voters: Total membership votes on film categories, with affiliated members excluded from TV categories. Lifetime achievement honors are determined by guild’s board of directors. Key dates: Nomination ballots are sent Dec. 15 and are due by Jan. 9. Noms will be announced Jan. 12. Final ballots are sent Jan. 19 and are due Feb. 2. The awards ceremony will be held Feb. 15 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Topper: Alan Heim, prexy Contact: Jenni McCormick, (818) 777-2900 Email:amercinema@earthlink.netWebsite:americancinemaeditors.com

AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE (AFI Awards)Backstory: Founded in the White House Rose Garden more than 40 years ago, AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. Kudos: AFI Awards names 10 AFI Movies of the Year, 10 AFI Television Programs of the Year and up to 10 AFI Moments of Significance. Inaugurated in 2000, the goal of AFI Awards is to document excellence across the century. Membership: Anyone can become a member of AFI — all details can be found at AFI.com. As a nonprofit organization, individual and corporate donations are fundamental to the institute’s ability to educate the next generation of filmmakers and celebrate the work of established artists. Voters: AFI Awards honorees are selected by a unique jury process, one for film and another for TV. Each AFI jury consists of one chair, three scholars, three artists, three critics and three AFI trustees. Key dates: AFI Awards honorees are announced Dec 14. Creative ensembles will be honored at a private luncheon on Jan. 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Toppers: Bob Gazzale, AFI prexy- CEO Contact: John Wildman, head of press & public relations, (323) 856-7896 Email:jwildman@afi.comWebsite:afi.com

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS Backstory: The ASC is a nonprofit association that has been dedicated to advancing the art of filmmaking since its chartering in 1919. It educates aspiring filmmakers and others about the art and craft of cinematography by publishing the magazine American Cinematographer and the “American Cinematographer Manual” in addition to other publications, plus conducting seminars at schools and industry events, and via one-on-one mentoring. Kudo: The first ASC Awards ceremony was held in 1987; one award for feature film was presented to Jordan Cronenweth, ASC, for “Peggy Sue Got Married.” Three awards will be given out for 2008 — two for TV categories and one for theatrical film. Special kudos and honors include Lifetime Achievement, International Achievement, Presidents Award, Career Achievement in Television, Board of Governors and the Bud Stone Heritage Award. Membership: ASC membership is by invitation, based on an individual’s body of work. Currently, the membership roster comprises 306 cinematographers who hail from about 20 countries. The ASC also has more than 150 associate members; these individuals work in ancillary sectors of the industry and are invited to join because of their contributions to the art and craft of motion pictures. Voters: All competitive awards are voted on by the entire membership. Honorees are selected by the Awards Committee and the ASC Board of Governors. Key dates: Deadline for student entries was Nov. 1; Deadline for TV entries is Dec. 1 at noon. TV noms will be announced the week of Dec. 15. Feature nom ballots will be mailed the week of Dec. 22 and are due Jan. 5 at noon. Feature noms will be announced Jan. 6 or 7. Final feature ballots will be mailed the week of Jan. 12 and are due Feb. 9. The 23rd annual ASC Awards Gala will be held Feb. 15 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Topper: Daryn Okada, prexy Contact: (323) 969-4333Website: theasc.com

ANNIE AWARDSBackstory: Founded in 1972 by voice talent June Foray, the Annies honor the year’s finest animation in film, television, short subjects and videogames. The event is sponsored by ASIFA-Hollywood which is affiliated with the Intl. Animated Film Assn. (Assn. Intl. du Film d’Animation), founded in 1957 in France and chartered under UNESCO in 1960 as a membership organization devoted to the encouragement and dissemination of film animation as an art and communication form. Kudo: The Annie Awards recognize excellence in 24 categories including animated features and individual crafts. Membership: More than 3,500 members. Voters: All members are eligible to vote. Key dates: All judging material is due Oct. 31. Final nominations will be announced Dec. 1, with online voting beginning Jan. 12 and ending Jan. 23.The 36th annual Annie Awards ceremony will be held Jan. 30 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Topper: Antran Manoogian, prexy Annie Awards coordinator: Gretchen Dixon, Dixon PR Email:info@asifa-hollywood.orgWebsite:annieawards.org

ART DIRECTORS GUILD (IATSE Local 800)Backstory: The org was founded in 1937 and represents craftspersons working in production design, art direction, graphic design, and scenic and title arts. Kudo: The Excellence in Production Design Awards have been handed out since 1996. Trophies will be awarded in three feature and five television categories for projects released in 2008. Two special honorary awards will be handed out along with the inductions of five acclaimed production designers into the ADG Hall of Fame. Membership: 1,800 active members. Classifications include production designers, art directors and assistant art directors; and scenic, title and graphic artists, set designers and model maker
s, illustrators and matte artists. Voters: Competitive awards are voted on by active members. Honorary award recipients are determined by a committee and approved by the Council of the Art Directors Guild. Key dates: Nomination ballots are scheduled to be mailed out Dec. 22 and are due back Jan. 8. Noms will be announced Jan. 9. Final ballots are scheduled to be mailed out Jan. 13 and are due back Feb.12. Winners will be announced at an awards banquet Feb.14 at the Beverly Hilton. Please check the ADG website to monitor any changes. Topper: Thomas A. Walsh, prexy Contact: Amy Reynolds, (818) 762-9995 Email:amy@artdirectors.orgWebsite:artdirectors.org (official awards rules, submission forms, timeline, announcements, etc.)

BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM & TELEVISION ARTS (BAFTA)Backstory: Founded in 1947, BAFTA promotes excellence in the film, TV and videogame industries in above- and below-the-line categories. Kudo: The BAFTA Award was first given in 1949, when only three categories existed; 24 BAFTAs will be awarded for 2008 at the Orange British Academy Film Awards, not including special kudos like the Orange Rising Star Award. Membership: 6,000 film voting members worldwide who nominate and select winners in five categories (best film, leading actor, leading actress, supporting actor and supporting actress). In other areas, the members vote on only the first and second rounds, with a chapter of experts in the field making the final selection. (Chapters are formed of members with expertise in a particular field. If there are less than 80 members with relevant expertise in a particular field, the award winner is decided by jury.) Key dates: A list of eligible films will be sent outin early December. Round one of voting begins Dec. 8, with the votes of specialized chapter members counted separately from general members. This first round of voting closes Jan. 5. After round one, the top 12-15 titles/performers in each category will be listed. Round two of voting, to choose the top five in each category, begins Jan. 6 and closes Jan. 13. Final nominations will be announced Jan. 15. Best film, the four performance category winners and the award for film not in the English language are voted on by the entire voting membership in round three, also starting Jan. 15. The specialized chapters select the winner in categories affected by chapter voting; in all other categories, the winner is decided by special juries. The third round of voting closes Feb. 2. Awards will be announced at a kudofest at the Royal Opera House in London on Feb. 8. Topper: Richard Attenborough, prexy Contact: Deena Manley, +44 20 7292 5857 Email:deenam@bafta.orgWebsite:bafta.org

BROADCAST FILM CRITICS ASSN. (Critics’ Choice Awards)Backstory: Founded in 1995, the org is a critics collective honoring films for cinematic achievement. Kudo: Critics’ Choice Awards have been handed out since 1996. Awards in 17 categories will be given in 2009 for the 2008 cinema year.Membership: 230 members, made up of television, radio and online critics in the U.S. and Canada. Voters: 208 full members have voting rights in all categories. Key dates: Ballots will be sent out Dec. 1 and must be returned by Dec. 7. Nominations are announced Dec. 9. Final ballots are sent Jan. 5 and are due back byJan. 7. The 14th annual Critics’ Choice Awards ceremony will take place Jan. 8 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, broadcast live on VH1. Topper/contact: Joey Berlin, president, (310) 860-2665 Email:joeyberlin@aol.com Website:bfca.org

CASTING SOCIETY OF AMERICA (Artios Awards) Backstory: The CSA was founded in 1982, and CSA Artios Awards were founded in 1985 by a committee of CSA members. Kudo: Artios Awards will be handed out in 19 categories. Membership: 425 members, composed of casting directors and casting associates. Voting: Casting directors vote on the Artios Awards. The members put their own projects in nomination on the first ballot, followed by a final ballot with five entries in each category, except if there is a tie, in which case there could be more entries. Key date: The Artios Awards will be held Nov. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in L.A. and at Carolines on Broadway in N.Y. Topper: Pam Dixon, prexy Contact: (323) 463-1925 L.A., (212) 868-1260 N.Y. Email: castingsociety@earthlink.net Website: castingsociety.com

CINEMA AUDIO SOCIETY Backstory: Founded in 1964, the CAS recognizes outstanding achievement in sound mixing for both feature films and television. Kudo: The first CAS Award was given out in 1994. Five awards are bestowed for sound mixing, plus a Technical Achievement Award. Additionally, there are two special honors: the CAS Career Achievement Award and the CAS Filmmaker Award. Membership: 600 members, composed of sound mixers. Voters: The entire active membership votes on the CAS Awards. The Career Achievement and Filmmaker honorees are determined by the CAS board of directors. Key dates: Nomination ballots are mailed out Dec. 16 and are due back by Jan 2. Noms are announced on Jan. 8. Final ballots are mailed Jan. 16 and are due back Feb. 6. The CAS Awards are presented Feb. 14 at the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium-Biltmore Hotel in L.A. Topper: Edward L. Moskowitz, president Contact: Dorothea Sargent, (818)752-8624 Email:CASawards@cinemaaudiosociety.orgWebsite:http://www.cinemaaudiosociety.org/

DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICABackstory: Founded in 1936 as the Screen Directors Guild (it was changed to the DGA in 1960), the org protects the economic and creative rights of helmers while awarding their accomplishments. Kudo: The DGA Award for outstanding directorial achievement was first given in 1948. Ten kudos will be given out in 2009, not including special ones like the Lifetime Achievement Award. Membership: 14,000 current members. Voters: DGA members vote on the feature film and television awards in certain categories. All other awards are determined by blue-ribbon panels. Key dates: Feature film ballots will be sent Dec. 1 and are due back Jan. 7. Nomination
s will be announced Jan. 8; final ballots will be sent out that day to the general membership and are due back Jan. 30. TV, commercials and documentary director entry forms were mailed out on Oct. 10. TV nominations ballots will be sent Dec. 15 and are due back Jan. 5. Nominees for TV, commercials and documentary will be announced Jan. 9. The DGA Awards dinner will be held Jan. 31 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Topper: Jay D. Roth, executive director Contact: Laraine Savelle, (310) 289-2038 Email:laraine@dga.org Website:dga.org

EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS Backstory: The awards were founded in 1988. Kudo: Awards in 15 categories will be handed out in 2008 including the People’s Choice Award voted by the public, not the org. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Dame Judi Dench, and the European Achievement in World Cinema 2008 Award will be presented to Dogma founders Soren Kragh-Jacobsen, Kristian Levring, Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. Membership: 1,800 European film professionals whose work is recognized in Europe. Voters: Most categories are voted for by the EFA members. Key dates: Deadline for submission of films wasJune 15. Announcement of selection was Sep. 4. Announcement of nominees is Nov. 8 at the Seville European Film Festival. Awards ceremony is Dec. 6 in Copenhagen. Toppers: Wim Wenders, president; Yves Marmion, chairman of the board; Nik Powell and Volker Schloendorff, deputy chairmen; Marion Doering, director. Email:efa@europeanfilmacademy.orgWebsites:europeanfilmacademy.org; efa-productions.com

FILM INDEPENDENT (FIND) (Spirit Awards) Backstory: Founded in 1980, the nonprofit Film Independent (FIND) produces the Spirit Awards, which honors above- and below-the-line talent in independently made features. Kudo: Findies (Friends of Independents) were given out in 1984 and ’85. The first Spirit Award was given in 1986; 13 trophies will be awarded in 2009, not including special kudos like Someone to Watch, Truer Than Fiction, the Producers Award and the Robert Altman Award given to one film’s ensemble cast, casting director and director. Membership: 12,000 eligible voting members, including indie filmmakers, industry pros and indie film enthusiasts. Voters: Film Independent has an approximately 20-member nomination committee made up of actors, directors, producers and other industryites. They watch submitted films and nominate five finalists per category. The general membership must register to vote for a winner in each area, not including the special awards. Key dates: Nominations will be announced Dec. 2. Voter information packets will be sent out Dec. 24 with a paper ballot postmark deadline of Feb. 7. Online voting ends Feb. 11 at 11 pm PST. The Spirit Awards will be held Feb. 21, broadcast live on IFC and later edited and re-broadcast on AMC. Topper: Dawn Hudson, executive director Contact: Diana Zahn-Storey, executive producer, (310) 432-1240 Website:spiritawards.com

HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSN. (Golden Globes)Backstory: Founded in 1943, the HFPA honors successes in the film and TV industries. Membership is composed of journos for foreign publications and broadcast outlets who report on the entertainment industry. Kudo: The Golden Globes were first given in 1944. The org will hand out 25 awards in 2009, not including such special kudos as the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Membership: 87 currently. Voters: Nominees and finalists are selected by the org’s active members who have been in the HFPA for at least one year. First-year members are not eligible to vote. Key dates: Ballots will be mailed Nov. 26 and are due back Dec. 8. Nominations will be announced Dec. 11. Final ballots will be sent Dec. 22 and are due back Jan. 7. The Golden Globes ceremony will be held Jan. 11 at the Beverly Hilton. Topper: Jorge Camara, prexy Contact: (310) 657-1731 Email:info@hfpa.orgWebsite:hfpa.org

HOLLYWOOD POST ALLIANCE Backstory: Founded in 2002, the Hollywood Post Alliance is the trade association representing the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other “dynamic” media content. Kudo: First awarded in 2006 to individuals working behind the scenes in post-production. Categories include color grading and the DI process, editing, compositing and audio in feature films, television and commercials. Specialty awards will be handed out this year including Engineering Excellence and the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Charles S. Swartz Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Post Production and the HPA Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation. Membership: 400-plus members including both individuals and companies in the post-production field. Voters: Creative and engineering submissions are judged by peers with expertise in the individual categories. Recipients for the two special awards are selected by the Awards Committee and the board of directors; the HPA Judges Award is a select group of industry professionals. Key dates: Submissions were due Aug. 1. Nominees were to be be announced in October. The awards ceremony will be held Nov. 6 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The call for 2009 submissions will go out in late spring. Topper: Leon Silverman, prexy Contact: Eileen Kramer (213) 614-0860 Email:info@hpaonline.comWebsite:http://www.hpaonline.com

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE U.S.

(Genesis Awards) Backstory: Org gives out the Genesis Award to honor the news media and entertainment industry for putting the spotlight on animal issues. The Genesis Award was first given in 1986 under the direction of the lateactress Gretchen Wyler, who initiated the event while serving as vice chairwoman of the Fund for Animals. The Genesis Awards moved with her to the Ark Trust when she founded it in 1991. The Ark Trust merged with the Humane Society of the U.S. to form the HSUS’ Hollywood office in 2002, and with it came the Genesis Awards. Kudo: The org will give out approximately 18 awards for 2008 media works in March 2009. Membership: More than10 million members and constituents. Anyone can submit a candidate suggestion via the org’s website. Membership comprises industryites and animal lovers. Voters: From the suggestions received, projects that fit the criteria are chosen as candidates. A 17-member committee composed of advocates and representatives of various animal-protection orgs selects the winners. Key dates: The deadlines to submit suggestions are Dec. 5 (for projects released January to November 2008) and Dec. 19(for projects released in December 2008). Nominations will be announced in February 2009. The Genesis Awards winners will be announced March 28 at the Beverly Hilton. Topper: Beverly Kaskey, seniordirector of the HSUS’ Hollywood office Contact: (818) 501-2275 Email:genesisawards@hsushollywood.org or contact@hsushollywood.orgWebsite:humanesociety.org/genesissubmission

INDEPENDENT FEATURE PROJECT (Gotham Independent Film Awards)Backstory: The Gotham Independent Film Awards were founded by the Independent Feature Project in 1991. IFP is the largest membership organization of independent filmmakers. IFP programs provide filmmakers with access to the tools to develop and present their vision, and audiences with an opportunity to discover new work. Signature programs include the Gotham Awards, Independent Film Week, Filmmaker Magazine and IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs. Since its start, IFP has supported the p
roduction of 7,000 films and provided resources to more than 20,000 filmmakers — voices that otherwise might not have been heard. Kudo: In 2008, six competitive awards will be distributed for best feature, best documentary, breakthrough actor, breakthrough director, best ensemble cast and best film not playing at a theater near you. In addition, four career achievement tributes will be presented to Penelope Cruz, Sheila Nevins, Melvin Van Peebles and Gus Van Sant. Membership: 10,000 members. Anyone is eligible to join IFP — filmmakers, film industry professionals (directors, writers, producers, actors, distributors, financiers, a variety of service providers, etc.) and film enthusiasts. In addition to their traditional membership, IFP offers an interactive membership for those who are not located in New York to have access to content. Voting: IFP members do not vote on the awards. Instead, a two-tiered juried system is used. First, IFP convenes nominating panels for the six competitive awards. These four to five individuals are generally film curators/festival programmers and critics; they select nominees for each award. These nominees are turned over to separate juries consisting of individuals directly involved in making films, such as directors, actors, producers, casting directors, d.p.s, editors, etc. Key dates: Submissions deadline was Sept. 22; nominees were announced Oct. 20; awards ceremony is Dec. 2 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Topper: Michelle Byrd, executive director Contact: Jennifer Smith, associate producer, Gotham Independent Film Awards Email: Year-round: jsmith@ifp.orgWebsite:http://www.ifp.org

INTL. DOCUMENTARY ASSN. Backstory: Founded in 1982, IDA is a nonprofit organization that honors outstanding accomplishments in nonfiction film and video from around the world. Kudo: The first awards were given out in 1984; there will be five special honorees and seven other awards given out at the next IDA Documentary Awards. Membership: 3,000 members in 53 countries. Members include docu producers, directors, executives, journalists, university professors and other individuals and organizations involved in docu filmmaking. Voters: Members may volunteer for screening committees to select nominees, but a blue-ribbon panel picks the winners. The IDA’s board of directors selects the recipients of its special achievement honors. Key dates: Noms will be announced in early November. The IDA Documentary Awards will be held Dec. 5 at the Directors Guild in Hollywood, with a nominees luncheon held earlier that day at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Topper: Eddie Schmidt, interim executive director Contact: (213) 534-3600 Email:eddie@documentary.orgWebsite:documentary.org

INTL. PRESS ACADEMY (Satellite Awards) Backstory: Founded in 1996, the Intl. Press Academy (IPA) is a membership organization of entertainment journalists who specialize in motion pictures, television and interactive media. Each year, members vote on outstanding achievements in all three major categories (film, television, interactive media) and honor the recipients at the Satellite Awards. Kudos: Initially known as the Golden Satellites, the first statuette was awarded in 1997. In 2003 the name was changed to the Satellite Awards. IPA was the first media organization to create a separate category for animated and mixed media in motion pictures. Satellite Awards are given in 22 categories for film, including acting, directing, writing, editing, art direction, sound and costume design. There are 12 categories in television, from best miniseries to talent recognition in a series. There are six categories for DVDs and five categories for vidgames. Special achievement kudos include the Mary Pickford Award, the Tesla Award, Auteur Award, and awards for best ensemble in motion picture, best ensemble in television and new talent. Membership: 192 members worldwide. Membership is open to journalists listed in the MPAA Directory and those working journalists who submit at least six entertainment-related clips to be considered by the board. Voters: Entire membership votes on Satellite Awards, excluding Auteur Award and Special Achievement awards. IPA board members decide on lifetime achievement awards such as the Mary Pickford Award and the Tesla Award. Key dates: Noms will be announced Nov. 30; the Satellite Awards presentation will be held Dec. 14(location TBA). Topper: Mirjana Van Blaricom Contact: (818) 989-1589 or (310) 550-8209 Email:info@pressacademy.comWebsite:http://www.pressacademy.com

LOS ANGELES FILM CRITICS ASSN.Backstory: Founded in 1975, the org honors cinematic achievements. Kudo: The L.A. Film Critics Awards were first handed out in 1975; approximately 16 plaques will be given for 2008. Membership: Org is composed of approximately 50 critics from Los Angeles-area periodicals plus TV, radio and Internet outlets. Voters: All awards are voted on by the entire membership. Key dates: The awards ceremony will be held Jan. 12 at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City hotel.. Topper: Lael Loewenstein, president Contact:LaelL@aol.com; media/press inquiries: Michael Lawson, mlawson@MPRM.com or (323) 933-3399 Website:lafca.net

MOTION PICTURE SOUND EDITORS (Golden Reels) Backstory: Founded in 1953, the org honors professional sound and music editors in film and TV with kudos in various areas of sound editing including dialogue, ADR, special effects, Foley and music. Kudo: The Golden Reel Award was first given in 1953; 16 categories will be awarded in 2009. Membership: Approximately 475 members consisting of people in all facets of the sound industry. Some members serve on special nominations panels. Voters: The general membership votes on feature film categories; in all other categories, such as episodic TV, a blue-ribbon panel narrows submissions down to eight noms and then selects a winner. Key dates: TV and feature forms are due Dec. 5 for submissions aired or released from January to November and Jan. 5 for films released in December. All nomination ballots are due Jan. 16. Noms will be announced Jan. 23. Final ballots will be distributed Jan. 28 and are due Feb. 18. The awards dinner will be held Feb. 21 at the Beverly Hilton. Topper: Bobbi Banks, prexy Contact: (818) 506-7731 Email:mail@mpse.orgWebsite:mpse.org

NATIONAL ASSN. FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (Image Awards) Backstory: Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in America. The NAACP annually recognizes the artistic achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, recordings and literature. The awards also honor projects and individuals promoting social justice and diversity through the arts. Kudo: First given in 1969, Image Awards will be handed out in 53 categories in 2009. Membership: More than 500,000 members. Voters: After submissions are received, a committee of 300 entertainment industry pros and NAACP leaders select five noms in each category. From there, the national members of org’s Crisis magazine and the leadership of the org’s 2,000 branches make final selections. Key dates: Ballots will be sent Dec. 8 and are due back Dec. 29. Noms will be announced Jan. 5. Nominees’ luncheon will be held Feb. 7. Awards will be announced at a kudofest aired live on Feb. 12 on Fox from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Toppers: Julian Bond, chairman of the board; Benjamin T. Jealous, prexy & CEO and official NAACP spokesman; Vic Bulluck, executive director, NAACP Hollywood Bureau Contact: NAACP Hollywood Bureau (323) 938-5268 Email:imageawards@naacpnet.orgWebsite:naacpimageawards.net